MAN v FAT Newsround 18/8/2017

Welcome to our weekly news roundup, where we’ll celebrate your progress, bring you news from the MAN v FAT football leagues plus keep you up to date with all the latest goings-on in the world of weight loss, fitness and food.

FROM THE MAN v FAT FOOTBALL LEAGUES

This summer we’ve seen some dodgy player announcements from some of Europe’s biggest sides, but here at MAN v FAT Football we’re keeping it traditional: after weeks of speculation, we are happy to unveil our new signing…Ted Robbins! That’s right, the comedian and TV personality star, who many of you may know as Den Perry from Phoenix Nights (or depending on your age or child’s TV programme preferences, the Guvnor from CBBCs the Slammer), is officially part of the MAN v FAT team. Ted has previously been outspoken about his troubles with his weight, and he visited the MVFF league in Manchester on Monday evening to make a programme about everything we do here. Be sure to check the newsround in the coming weeks for updates on where and when you’ll be able to see it.

Every cloud has a silver lining – a saying which is particularly relevant for Neil Glover, MAN v FAT coach from the Smethwick and Portway leagues in the West Midlands. After hearing that his niece had tragically been diagnosed with leukaemia, Neil has used his power as a coach to set himself and his players a challenge: for every kg lost by his players, he will be donating a pound to the Children With Cancer charity. Not only this, Neil has also pledged that for every kg he loses himself, he will put a pound into a ‘day out pot’ for his niece – what an incredible gesture, well done Neil. Cancer is an egregiously indiscriminate disease at the best of times, but it hurts that little bit more when it is affecting children with their whole lives ahead of them, so if you would also like to donate towards this cause, visit Neil’s Just Giving page here.

Finally, a word on our referees. It might sometimes be easy to forget that everybody involved with MAN v FAT is here to help you achieve your goals, including those in the middle of the pitch officiating the games. And yes, we’ve all been there in the heat of the moment, infuriated at a dodgy decision the useless referee has made, furious that it may eventually cost our team the game, but is it really worth it to get worked up about it? We all make mistakes and the repercussions are much harsher for them! Everybody here at MAN v FAT is in it together, so let’s keep it that way.

PRODUCTS WE’RE LOVING

13% of MVF readers who were surveyed said they were fat because of a lack of control over their appetite, which can often be linked to incessant unhealthy snacking. If you are a compulsive snacker then healthy snack gurus Nakd have got your back: a delicious concoction of caramelised cashews, dates and raisins, perfect for a midday treat or for satisfying your sweet tooth after tea. You can find them at Holland & Barret for £1.10 a packet.

FROM THE FORUM

For many starting out on their weight loss journey, the end goal can seem a million miles away (quite literally depending on how long you spend on the treadmill). For the past eight months, forum member Lee Bench has taken us all along with him on his journey. Have a full look at his story here: https://talk.manvfat.com/t/this-is-what-i-have-to-loose/18908/18

Over to you – what would you like to see more of in our weekly news round-ups? More forum stories? More new products? Want some fascinating trivia, sure you do…Let us know what you want and as is tradition we’ll steal all the best ideas and pass them off as our own!

Completely agree Khyle - the key for me and we see this across the leagues and the website is that it's all about men helping men. We're all there to sort out our weight and get healthier, for whatever reason that's important to each of us. Beyond that though we can see that it's about us helping other men to achieve that goal for themselves too. It definitely is a community. Really glad you had a good birthday mate and congratulations on the weight loss. God bless!